If you enjoy Jeeps, this was a great place to be. Nearly every type of Jeep was represented, from Willys to CJs and TJs. There was even a Grand Cherokee whose body had been scratched and repainted so many times, the owner decided to Rhino-line each side.
Jamborees are great fun for a lot of reasons. Our favorite part, besides meeting new off-road enthusiasts, is that we get a chance to check out what other people are doing. It's great to see other options and other products that are out there. We always walk away with a new trick or a different way of doing something.
Our trail looked just right - not too many vehicles and a good cross section of models and skill levels. It's safe to say that the most interesting vehicle of our group was the Black Rat. The Rat, as they call it, is an old, bone-stock Wagoneer whose owners dismembered it by removing the roof behind the front seats, and then loosely remodeled the rear to resemble a pickup.
Charlemont is situated in the wilds of western Massachusetts. The area is known for its fly-fishing, white-water rafting, and, to 'wheelers, the legendary Old Florida Road, which is still considered an active right-of-way by the town of Florida, Massachusetts. Although the road is not maintained, the Florida powers-that-be have, for the time, allowed recreational motor vehicles access to the area.
This is one of those cases where the off-road community will have to take care to preserve what it has. To date, this trail, similar to so many others, lies in a delicate state of flux. It has been allowed to remain open because of the diligence of the local clubs. If we remain vigilant, we will be able to enjoy trails such as these well into the future.
If you have been to Moab in the West, or done Tellico or Paragon in the East, you might just bumble over Old Florida Road on a dry day and wonder what the fuss was about. But as the activists close down even our own backyards and tickets are being flung out left and right under the power lines, there are fewer and fewer places to drop a truck into Low range. For Massachusetts, Old Florida Road is a nice, mellow, quasi-challenging trail with some exceptional scenery.
We entered Old Florida Road from the south side. The trailhead is easy to find, and directions can be had on the Internet. As the trail begins, smaller rocks and subtle outcroppings demand slow, patient driving. Stock rigs and those with small lifts will find some easy, enjoyable maneuvering and a place to test out their flex.